Month: March 2013

Obituary: Kenneth C. Bledsoe

Funeral services for Kenneth C. Bledsoe, 87, Athens are scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2013 at 10 a.m. in Carroll-Lehr Funeral Chapel with Rev. Charles Parker officiating.

Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Bledsoe died March 28, 2013 in Athens.

He was born May 22, 1925 in Italy, Texas to the late Howard Howell and Maggie Annie Florence Couch Bledsoe. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force attached to 464th Bomb Group, 776th Bomb Squadron. Kenneth had been a resident of Athens the past 67 years. He was employed with Lone Star Gas 37 years. He was a member of Central Baptist Church since 1950 serving as song director seven years, treasurer 12 years and was a deacon since 1955. He also taught the Adult II Sunday school class many years. He was Assistant Scout Master 5 years with Troop 349.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Averal and Marvin Bledsoe and Matthew Bledsoe.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years Rosalie Bledsoe, Athens; sons Kenneth C. Bledsoe II and wife Charlene, Independence, Mo., Russell Lee Bledsoe and wife Karan, Athens; brothers Max Howard Bledsoe and Charles Bledsoe; six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.

No visitation is scheduled.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 4100 Alpha Road, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75244.

You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com.

Obituary: Shirley Ann Reschke

Shirley Ann Reschke
Shirley Ann Reschke

Funeral services for Shirley Ann Reschke, 65, of Athens were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. George Folmar officiating.  Burial followed at Carroll Springs Cemetery.

She passed away Thursday, March 28, 2013 in Athens.

Shirley was born April 13, 1947 in Terrell, Texas the daughter of Robert Edgar Williams and Lillian Geneva Hunt Williams.  She was a Baptist and a devoted homemaker.  She enjoyed cooking, canning and making pies.  She spent much of her time outdoors planting flowers and gardening.  Granny loved playing games with her grand kids.  She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother and will be greatly missed by all those she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sons; Robert V. Reschke, Jerry Don Reschke II, and a granddaughter Frances “Sissy” Myers.

She is survived by her loving husband of 46 years Jerry Don Reschke Sr., of the home, her children; Deborah and husband Johnny Myers of Mesquite,TX,  April and husband Charles (Bubba) Brewer Jr. of Tennessee Colony, TX, Jodi and husband Wesley Richmon of Athens, J.D. and wife Lucy Reschke of Athens, one sister, four brothers, nine grandchildren; Amanda Michelle Richmon, Cassie LeAnn Strange, Johnny H. Myers III, James Frank Myers, Cody Wayne Brewer, Beau Brent Brewer, Justin F. Richmon, Shane G. Richmon, William James Strange, five great-grandchildren; James Frank Myers Jr., Johnny Colton Myers, Jason Kyle Barberee Jr., Makayla Mendoza, Makyla Mendoza and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers were Johnny H. Myers III, James Frank Myers, Cody Wayne Brewer, Beau Brent Brewer, Justin F. Richmon, Shane G. Richmon, and William James Strange.

Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Jerry Reschke Memorial Fund at Citizens State Bank in Athens, account #67169410.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.

Week in Review: Friday, March 29

Easter huntPhoto of the Week: I love this photo from the Easter Egg Hunt for Athens ISD special needs kids hosted by the Kiwanis Club at Kiwanis Park Wednesday morning. That says family to me.

—

TOP 5 STORIES OF THE WEEK

Story 1 — Groundbreaking for Splash Pad: Organizers from the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club and the City of Athens held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday morning for the planned Kiwanis Park Splash Pad.
Why it’s important: Officials said most of these projects take at least two years … organizers in Athens broke ground in six months.
Read more: I wrote a story here. 

Story 2 — George P. Bush to take part in fundraiser: The Cedar Creek Veterans Foundation has announced that George P. Bush will be playing in this year’s Golf Classic on May 6.
Why it’s important: The CCVF’s summer events — the golf tournament and July 4 air show — have become big events in the county.
Read more: HCN had a story. 

Story 3 — TVCC Lady Cards win 7th title: The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals won the NJCAA National Championship last Saturday night. The school has back-to-back titles now, and has appeared in the championship game in three consecutive years.
Why it’s important: The Lady Cardinals are the premier junior college women’s basketball team in the nation.
Read more: Here is the story I wrote after the game. 

Story 4 — Local ladies visit every courthouse: Wanda Ola Richardson, 91, and her daughter, Roberta Davis, visited every courthouse in Texas over the course of eight years.
Why it’s important: Because quests are cool.
Read more: Here is their story. 

Story 5 — Zoning approved for old hospital: The Athens City Council OK’d zoning this week that moves forward a plan to turn the old Henderson County Memorial Hospital into an assisted living and retirement facility.
Why it’s important: Because the old hospital has been falling into ruin for years.
Read more: The Athens Review has a story. 

Halbert named MDT Member of the Year

Investigator Jessica Halbert, second from left, was named the Multi-disciplinary Team Member of the Year last month. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Investigator Jessica Halbert, second from left, was named the Multi-disciplinary Team Member of the Year last month. (COURTESY PHOTO)

HELP Center press release

The Child Advocacy Center awarded the Multi-disciplinary Team Member of the Year Award to Investigator Jessica Halbert with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. The award was presented on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the HELP Center during a Multi-disciplinary team meeting.

The Henderson County Multi-disciplinary team is a collaborative group of all law enforcement agencies, victim service groups, Child Protective Services, County and District Attorney, medical staff and other organizations that meet monthly. This group meets to discuss and improve the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children of Henderson County, and to ensure that the victims of these crimes are offered the services they need.

The Team Member Award is voted on by the Multi-disciplinary team members throughout the year. Recipients have shown an aggressive stance in responses and actions taken with child abuse cases. Quarterly awards that were presented during the year for 2012: Investigator Jessica Halbert, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office; Sue Hinson, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner; Laura Holder, County Attorney’s Office; Lynett Anderson, East Texas Medical Center, SANE.

From this group Jessica Halbert was selected by the Multi-disciplinary team as being the team member of the year for 2012.

Investigator Halbert worked over 100 cases in 2012.

The Child Advocacy Center facilitates the Multi-disciplinary Team that involve multiple agencies throughout the county. The Child Advocacy Center is a program of the Henderson County HELP Center.

For more information call the HELP Center 903-675-4357 or visit our website www.thehelpcenter.org.

Obituary: Edith Owens Mayfield

Edith Owens Mayfield
Edith Owens Mayfield

Services for Edith Owens Mayfield, 94, Brownsboro are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, 2013 at Barton’s Chapel Assembly of God Church with Rev. Terry Thomison, Rev. Sherman Mayfield and Rev. Jon Parker officiating.

Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Mrs. Mayfield died March 28, 2013 in Chandler.

She was born Aug. 26, 1918 in the Barton’s Chapel Community to the late Cicero Witt and Lillian Eliza Cantrell Corley. She was a graduate of Brownsboro High School and a member of Barton’s Chapel Assembly of God Church. Edith formerly was a devoted volunteer at the Department of Human Services in Tyler.

In addition to her parents, Edith was preceded in death by first husband Vernon Owens; late husband Herman Mayfield; daughter Karen Owens Duensburger; son Billy Clyde Owens; sons-in-law Bobby Masters, Dudly Newbill’ brothers Warren Corley, Drayton “Buck” Corley; and sisters Elvie Carroll and Mary Lovy.

Survivors include daughters Ann Newbill, Jan Masters, Tami Mason and husband John, all of Murchison; son Mickey Owens and wife Brenda, Brookland; stepson Sherman Mayfield, Whitehouse; 14 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, numerous nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers will be Chance Collins, Justin Mason, Collin Mason, Landon Mason, Aaron Arthur, John Mason and Ben Owens.

Visitation for family and friends will be 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

You may leave a message of condolence or light a memorial candle for the family at www.carroll-lehr.com.